Shimano Tranx 300HG Review

[A-Jay]

Back in August of this year – I purchased a Tranx 300HG.

Planned on using it to throw bigger baits here in northern Michigan as well as on trips south of the border.  Figured it would come in handy heaving swimbaits there. 

  Prior to this purchase, I have been fishing a Callcutta 300D for a couple of years now.  Really like this one – the size, the line capacity and the power of the Callcutta D is formidable. What I didn’t like that much was the 5.7:1 gear ratio.  Great for working swimbaits but not the best for trying to catch up with big fish coming at me.  The mad million mile per hour reel handle turn thing has cost me a fish here & there.  Not something I want to do fishing in Mexico where any cast can be The One.

 So I picked up the Tranx 300HG. 

 Initial impressions were that it’s not that big, it’s lighter than I thought and very palmable. I could see myself using this for a few more local applications than I’d originally anticipated – A-Rigs & Glide baits for instance.

 Fished the reel here for about a month before I took it to Mexico.

I had the Tranx 300 mounted on a Departure 3pc 8 ft MH swimbait Travel rod spun up by F5 Custom Rods.  This is the stick I took down there.  It’s pretty beefy and balances out well with the Tranx 300.  The rig Cast great.  Feels super smooth.  Manages the 20-25 lb fluorocarbon nicely as well as the 65-80 lb braid I tried on it. 

  The line capacity seems very close to the Calcutta 300D and is advertised as 150yds of 17lb.  I was using Tatsu 20 - 25lb and I’ll say I got at least 150 of the 20 lb and something less in the 25; but still very fishable with plenty left after a long cast.

 And then there was the real world test.  The actual swimbait fishing on Lake Baccarac.  I was really hoping the Tranx would not be too fast to work the bait effectively and have plenty of speed & power to be a reasonable option when fighting the bigger fish we would not doubt encounter.  Questions answered with a resounding YES !   The Tranx is a beast.  Super comfortable to fish all day, launches baits and does everything else I mentioned with authority.

   The reel comes with a single doorknob looking power handle.  I gave it a try but frankly I’m not a fan – doesn’t really suit my style of fishing.  So I ordered the standard double paddle handle that comes on the 300 (non-HG) version – like that one quite a bit more – perhaps I’m just used to it.

   And then, in a very interesting and unexpected turn of events, I was able to obtain a proto-type custom carbon fiber handle for it from Hawg Tech.  I have several of their handles on some of my other reels and I love them.  So I jumped at the chance.  Besides looking pretty sweet the added length (110mm) and the custom knobs make fishing an already very nice reel something very special.  I was cutting off baits from other rigs so that I could keep fishing it.  

  So when it’s all said and done, despite having an almost unhealthy affection for round reels, I could actually see myself replacing the Calcutta 300D with the Tranx 300 standard speed reel.  The low profile seems that comfortable.

 There you have it.  If you’re in the market for a bulletproof reel with a bit more line capacity to handle your long casts with 20-25 lb mono or fluorocarbon – I’d encourage you to check out the Tranx.  I’m certainly glad I did.

A-Jay

[J Francho]

2 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

despite having an almost unhealthy affection for round reels

*and Quantums, lol.

 

Just teasing, man.  Nice review, and nice job down south.

[A-Jay]

16 minutes ago, J Francho said:

*and Quantums, lol.

 

Just teasing, man.  Nice review, and nice job down south.

When you're right you're right j - 

Thanks 

 

A-Jay

[Derek1]

Great review, and it’s almost mean to keep showing pics of them big ones lol. Just kidding it’s a sharp looking set up I almost didn’t even notice the fish. 

[A-Jay]

29 minutes ago, Derek1 said:

Great review, and it’s almost mean to keep showing pics of them big ones lol. Just kidding it’s a sharp looking set up I almost didn’t even notice the fish. 

Thanks ~  And I hear ya.

I kind a can't help it though.

Besides, that one was 'only' a 7 1/2 ~

A-Jay

[Dangerfield]

Thanks AJay for the awesome review. 

[Dirtyeggroll]

Have you removed and replaced the lube from the manufacturer?

 

Every Tranx I have ever touched have been grossly overpacked with lube out of the package making them quite boggy IMO.

 

If you haven’t cleaned and re-lubed it and you like it now, you have a pleasant surprise waiting for you.

[A-Jay]

3 hours ago, Dirtyeggroll said:

Have you removed and replaced the lube from the manufacturer?

 

Every Tranx I have ever touched have been grossly overpacked with lube out of the package making them quite boggy IMO.

 

If you haven’t cleaned and re-lubed it and you like it now, you have a pleasant surprise waiting for you.

Can't say how many of these reels you've touched, but the product I own & fished has met and in many instances exceeded, all my expectations inside & out. 

 Touching may not offer the same user experience as actually fishing one. 

A-Jay

 

 

[NYWayfarer]

I have to say I liked the original "single doorknob looking power handle" but the Hawg Tech handle blows it away in the looks department.

[WRB]

Hmmmm, there may be a Tranx 300HG is my near future.

Great review Andy,

Tom

[Dirtyeggroll]

2 hours ago, A-Jay said:

 Touching may not offer the same user experience as actually fishing one. 

A-Jay

 

 

Fished about 6 different Tranx. 2 of my own (one 5.8 and one 7.6), and fished the others side-by-side with a Daiwa Lexa and an old Curado.

 

Not saying there is anything wrong with the Tranx out of the box, just saying the factory bogginess, especially on retrieve, (that I experience with many reels) seems to be exaggerated in the Tranx compared to other reels. Just saying it becomes even better with a good cleaning.

 

[A-Jay]

4 minutes ago, Dirtyeggroll said:

Fished side about 6 different Tranx. 2 of my own (one 5.8 and one 7.6), and fished the others side-by-side with a Daiwa Lexa and an old Curado.

 

Not saying there is anything wrong with the Tranx out of the box, just saying the factory bogginess, especially on retrieve, (that I experience with many reels) seems to be exaggerated in the Tranx compared to other reels. Just saying it becomes even better with a good cleaning.

 

Thank you for the heads up.

A-Jay

[fastlaners]

Good review thanks ; I’m about to purchase a Tranx ; I’m on the fence about what speed 7:6 or 5:8  what would be the best all-around speed ?being able to slow down when necessary ; say creeping a Huddleston on faster reel ratio or speed up when necessary on slower reel ratio ;  for say faster retrieve  topwaters ,  wakebaits , or  catching up to fish coming at boat ?  I’m a Mass fisherman kind of new to the bass fishing game ; getting ready to retire and make this main hobby ; mostly in smaller lakes and ponds. I’ll be pairing this up for Dobyns 806SB Thanks John 

 

[A-Jay]

17 minutes ago, fastlaners said:

Good review thanks ; I’m about to purchase a Tranx ; I’m on the fence about what speed 7:6 or 5:8  what would be the best all-around speed ?being able to slow down when necessary ; say creeping a Huddleston on faster reel ratio or speed up when necessary on slower reel ratio ;  for say faster retrieve  topwaters ,  wakebaits , or  catching up to fish coming at boat ?  I’m a Mass fisherman kind of new to the bass fishing game ; getting ready to retire and make this main hobby ; mostly in smaller lakes and ponds. I’ll be pairing this up for Dobyns 806SB Thanks John 

 

4

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ 

Thanks.

The 300 is a very beefy & powerful reel; designed and perhaps best suited for large presentations.

Huddleston's would be a good example of that. 

Not so big that one could not use it for an everyday reel but it would be a little overkill IMO.

That said, reel speed is a personal choice.

Where some anglers prefer the faster models and can & will 'slow' down as needed, I am the opposite.

I prefer to 'speed' up when needed, so the 'slower' model suits me better. 

While I did select the HG (faster) reel, in this case, I'm still working on slowing down. 

A-Jay

 

[jimmyjoe]

   Good review, and thank you.  I have a question, though: if you were to sling 1 oz. spoons all day where there were  pike, would you use this 300 size or a 200 size reel, with nothing said about line or rod?   jj

[A-Jay]

38 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

   Good review, and thank you.  I have a question, though: if you were to sling 1 oz. spoons all day where there were  pike, would you use this 300 size or a 200 size reel, with nothing said about line or rod?   jj

Thanks ~  

 May depend on the line you're using as it relates to spool capacity.

The 300 (14/180) holds quite a bit more than the 200 (14/110).

So if casting distance with 'big' line is part of the plan - the 300 may be a better choice.

Finally, I've not fished a 200 so I can not vouch for its heft & durability.

But the 300 is a TANK and will fish that spoon without breaking a sweat.

A-Jay

 

[Diggy]

12 hours ago, jimmyjoe said:

   Good review, and thank you.  I have a question, though: if you were to sling 1 oz. spoons all day where there were  pike, would you use this 300 size or a 200 size reel, with nothing said about line or rod?   jj

My friend has both the 200 and 300. He def notices an upgrade in heft/durability/solid feel in the 300, but I def think you can use the 200 for that purpose without issue. He is throwing up to 3oz swimbaits on the 200 daily. If you want to kill 2 birds and plan to fish much bigger baits, you can get the 300 and have more options.

 

I plan to purchase a 200 as an alternate braid reel for my jig rod, which has a fluoro reel on it primarily. I also like the feel of a heavier weight reel on that rod. 

 

Here is an article I just saw posted.

 

https://bl8nkt.com/tranx-200

[rangerjockey]

I have the 300 as well. Mine is the 5.8 and I find it just about perfect for the A rig and glidebaits.

Great product.